Myrna Fearer: Circling the Square (Feb. 24)

Sunday

Feb 27, 2011 at 12:01 AMFeb 27, 2011 at 9:53 PM

I’ve been checking my mailbox every day and still no invitation to Kate and William’s big wedding. I guess I didn’t make the A, B or C list, but that’s OK; at least I don’t have to worry about a gift. I mean, what do you give to a couple that must have everything already?

Myrna Fearer

I’ve been checking my mailbox every day and still no invitation to Kate and William’s big wedding. I guess I didn’t make the A, B or C list, but that’s OK; at least I don’t have to worry about a gift. I mean, what do you give to a couple that must have everything already? They’ve been living in their own apartment together so they probably have a microwave, toaster and, in their case, a teapot or two. As for place settings of their silverware, forget it. They are either inheriting antique sets or already some of the big givers are having pieces monogrammed. Since Kate and Will are a modern couple, though, they might appreciate some nice stainless that can go into the dishwasher.

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Also, how much do you spend on a gift? If you just go to the ceremony at Westminster Abbey, do you spend less than the person who is invited to the dinner afterward? Do you really go for broke if you also are invited to the intimate affair in the evening? After all, I wouldn’t want to appear gauche. Oh well, that’s not my problem. I’m not terribly upset that I’m not invited to the wedding; I can watch it on TV. I’m just disappointed at missing the opportunity to Circle Trafalgar Square.

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Didn’t that touch of spring feel great for a few days? The snow finally melted from my roof and the ice from my walk. I got a kick out of one mom, though, when she opened the window of her minivan as she dropped her daughter off at the bus stop one morning. I commented on how nice it was and she agreed and then said, “Who would ever think we would say that 40 degrees was warm?”

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I keep thinking that spring isn’t far off despite the February freeze that followed the February thaw and time does go by fast when you’re busy. There are so many things happening in the next few weeks that I feel like the holiday social season has begun all over again. First on the agenda is March 3 and the DEEP Hall of Honor at the Danversport Yacht Club. New inductees will include Bruce Chadbourne, Colette and Ron Hennessey and Dr. Richard Santeusanio, a retired superintendent of the Danvers schools.

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When I told you to get your tickets ASAP, I wasn’t kidding. Tickets are going so fast I know there won’t be any last minute ones available. Call either Maria DiChiara at 978-777-4539, ext. 2441, or Theresa Stablewski, 978-777-4539, ext. 2431, to secure yours.

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If I were going to run a fundraiser, I would call Linda Flaherty for help. Linda is doing a bang-up job making most of the arrangements for the first Wish Ball to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and help find a cure for Type I Diabetes. The Wish Ball is a spin-off of Wylinn’s Wish for a Cure foundation begun by the family and friends of Wylinn Palmisano, daughter of Stephanie and John Palmisano of Goodies Ice Cream Shoppe, and granddaughter of dynamo Terry Palmisano.

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The Wish Ball will be held March 12, 6 p.m. to midnight, at the Danversport Yacht Club. Call Linda Flaherty, 978-808-5233, for information, tickets or to reserve a table. Tickets are $75 each and include a full course dinner and dancing to the World Premier Band.

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Sometimes I wish I could clone myself. I have invitations to two events happening simultaneously. March 12 is also the evening of the St. John’s Prep annual dinner and auction. At one time, I might have tried to make both galas but no longer. Like Cinderella, I have to be home (long before midnight) to give Misty her insulin shot.

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The “Prep Back to the Future” Gala to benefit the school will be held Saturday, March 12, at Crowne Plaza Boston North Shore (formerly Ferncroft). This year, as in the past, some very special people will be honored including Danvers residents Mj and Skip Shannon. Dr. Shannon is Headmaster Emeritus of St. John’s. Also honored will be David St. Laurent and Jude Curtis. Call the Prep to RSVP by Feb. 28. If you can’t attend but still want to participate, you will have an opportunity to bid on auction items from Feb. 28 to March 7. Go to www.stjohnsprep.org/gala.

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After a hiatus of a couple of weeks, you can get yourself psyched for the let-your-hair-down fun-raiser, “Return to Margaritaville.” Those who have attended any of the previous four dances to benefit the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation know what a great party and great cause this is. And, for many of us it’s very personal because our friend, Danvers resident Paula Gates, has dystonia. For Paula’s sake and all the others who suffer with the neurological effects of dystonia, and for future generations, we would like to see a cure.

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Tickets are $30 and include some of the best Margaritaville cheeseburgers made by the creative folks at the Danversport Yacht Club. With all due respect to Jimmy Buffett, I bet these are better – or, at least as good. So instead of Cheeseburgers in Paradise, you’ll get Cheeseburgers at the Danversport Yacht Club, the next best thing.

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Despite all the efforts to turn bullying around, most of us know it still rears its ugly head, and that’s unfortunate. Let’s face it; modern technology is definitely a two-edged sword. One of the best antidote attempts is the Olweus Program that was first introduced into the elementary schools more than a year ago and has already proved effective. The goal was to also get the program into the middle school, which is about to happen.

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Marianne Barker, a former nurse manager in maternity at Beverly Hospital, is getting another degree (she has several) but this time in nursing education. She’s also the mother of two high school students, Erin and Allison. Marianne is the community member of the Holten-Richmond Middle School Anti-Bullying Committee. She told me that the Olweus program would be introduced to the kids in a big way. As part of the kickoff scheduled for March 2, the committee would like to be able to give each student a wristband like so many organizations give out. It all started with the Lance Armstrong bands and the idea has been copied successfully by many other causes.

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The wristbands will say, “I take a stand against bullying.” They are also planning to get two big banners with the same slogan. Marianne Barker is hoping for some help from the community to pay for 1,200 wristbands and banners. Anyone who would like to help this anti-bullying cause can contact Marianne at MarianneRN@comcast.net or call her at 978-423-8605. If you would like to write a check, make it out to The Holten-Richmond Middle School and send it to the school or to Marianne Barker at 36 Longbow Road, Danvers, MA 01923.

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There’s a new little Andrinopoulos that may someday be behind the counter at New Brothers Restaurant and Deli or helping her grandmother at the cash register. Irina Andrinopoulos is the baby daughter of Elias and Tasia (Anastasia) and granddaughter of Kary and Pat Andrinopoulos. And that’s why everyone at the restaurant has been beaming since Jan. 25, even Elias, despite being sleep deprived. Maternal grandparents are John and Irene Vasiliou.

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Several years ago, when Katie Lally was a student at Danvers High School, I did a story on her mission trip to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. Katie, now a junior at Waynesburg University in Waynesburg, Pa., still hasn’t diminished her passion for ministry, according to her mom, Marsha Lally.

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Her recent ministerial forays took her to Belize and Puerto Rico within the past year and she was invited to speak at a conference at her college about her passion for ministry, her mom wrote. In Belize, she worked on rehabbing a school and also with the children. In Puerto Rico, she worked at the Roberto Clemente Sports City again helping with its

rehab. Katie raised her own funds to go on these school-sponsored trips and she also received some scholarship help. Although she is studying to be an athletic trainer, Katie Lally still hopes to be able to combine her skills with continued missionary work. Kudos to Katie for her desire to help others.

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Though not exactly a mission trip, several months ago, the Polish Club sponsored a bus trip with 52 people who attended a performance by Mazowsze, the national song and dance ensemble of Poland, according to club member Jan Lankowski. The troupe was on its 60th anniversary tour of the United States.

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Twenty-six years ago, Stas Kmiec, PBS resident expert on Poland was the commentator during the performance broadcast from the Polish Block Dance at Pope’s Landing according to member Jan Lankowski. He also proudly said that the Polish Club has formed an ethnic membership committee and a younger generation of people has been joining the club including third generation American-born folks and recent immigrants from Poland and Russia. I hope they can make Polish specialties as well as Polish Annie.

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Don’t forget that you have only until Feb. 28 to get your application in for Citizen of the Year or Youth Volunteer of the Year. Applications can be picked up or dropped off at the Danvers YMCA on

Pickering Street or sent to Citizen of the Year Co-Chairwomen Karen Nelson & Gayle Albani, Danvers Community Council, P.O. Box 2076, Danvers, MA 01923. Event will be April 13 at the Danversport Yacht Club.

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I have some disappointing news to relate to you. All of you who attended the Danvers Historical Society’s Designer Showcase at Tapley Hall last summer I know were looking forward to going to the Designer’s Showhouse at John Archer’s unique home. Unfortunately that has been postponed indefinitely. I’m sure the committee is already planning something equally as special. Stay tuned.

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One thing that will be held, however, is the annual Kiwanis Pancake Festival, on Saturday, March 19. Although it’s two days after St. Patrick’s Day, I decided you could still wear green. I remember going to the festival when it came either closer to or right on the 17th. There would be the late Dan Toomey, former town clerk, decked out in green from head to toe. Make sure you get to the Danvers High School cafeteria between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. for the best pancakes made with a lot of love by loyal Kiwanians. It also includes fun activities for the youngsters. It’s still only $4 for adults and $3 for kids under 12 for all you can eat. And that’s pretty reasonable, especially for a fundraiser.